Volunteer puppy raisers prepare our pups for guide dog training. Raisers bring puppies into their homes to teach them how to live with people and to enjoy learning the skills they need to take on a job that will change someone’s life. Many of our volunteers find the experience life-changing, too.
Learn first hand as puppy raisers share their experiences. Watch video here.
Someone who is deeply caring, giving, and responsible. Our community of volunteers includes individuals, couples, families with children, young adults, and senior citizens. They live in cities, suburbs, the countryside, apartments, houses- you name it.
We are extremely proud that so many raisers enjoy raising for Guiding Eyes enough to renew their commitment to raise another puppy. In fact, more than 65% are repeat raisers, and some people have raised more than 30 puppies!
Simply put, raisers care for and teach puppies to enjoy being with people and cultivate the confidence a future guide dog needs. They provide hours of patient teaching and numerous socialization journeys over a 12-to-16-month period before returning a well-socialized young adult dog to Guiding Eyes training staff for harness training.
All the raiser’s hard work culminates when a person who is blind or visually impaired receives their priceless gift − a guide dog providing independence, companionship, and mobility.
"Uriah was our first experience with raising a Guiding Eyes pup, and we are forever grateful for the time we had with him. We are so proud of the work he’s doing, and thankful we could be part of that process!"
Guiding Eyes has puppy raisers along the Eastern Seaboard, stretching from Maine to North Carolina, and west to Ohio. Puppy raisers are organized into groups that we call Puppy Raising Regions, and most raisers live within an hour of region class locations.
Before applying to become a puppy raiser, please be sure there is a region near you, and take some time to explore this section of the website, including a review of our Puppy Raising FAQs, the Puppy Raiser Checklist and Pup Program Policies. Feel free to contact us to discuss any questions you may have.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
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